KXIP Vs RCB Preview : Fierce Battle Expected Between These Two Sides

Kings XI Punjab expected to be on track as they set to face on RCB here at Punjab cricket stadium, Mohali.  As both the teams on equally placed on paper it is going to be another interesting battle between these two sides. Interestingly both the sides have gone through the similar phase last year and both teams have strengthened their lower middle order after the IPL auctions. Both the teams have some value-added additions after the auction which is expected to come handy during the crucial phase of the match.

Kings XI Punjab looks like a complete team after the auction and their lower middle order gets a much-needed boost after the arrival of Mandeep Singh, Nicholas Pooran and Moises Henriques. Their bowling unit looks solid after the arrival of Mohammed Shami, Sam Curran, and Hardus Viljoen so they are the team to beat in this IPL. Consistency was the major problem for KXIP in past seasons if they overcome this in this season they can easily advance to playoff rounds considering balance in their squad. RCB on other hand is always a flamboyant side led by Virat Kohli consists of several international stars.  With the addition of Shimron Hetmeyer, Shivam Dube and Nathon Coulter Nile the team looks more balanced than ever before.

Team Statistics

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Ironically the only team the Kings XI Punjab has better winning records against other teams is royal challengers Bangalore. They have won 12 out of 22 occasions they played against each other. But when it comes to the Mohali cricket ground, the home venue of Kings XI Punjab both the teams have won thrice each in 6 games. So we can expect an interesting match between these two sides. On the current team, Virat Kohli has been leading the run charts with 552 runs whereas Yuzvendra Chahal leading the most number of wickets column with 17 scalps.

What To Expect Between These Two Sides

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Led by Ravichandran Ashwin Kings XI Punjab will look to win the match and took the early lead in the tournament which will help them to seal the playoff spot.  The form of Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul is healthy and they have got all the abilities to provide enough firepower in the top order. With the addition of all-rounders like sam Curran and Hardus Viljoen provides much-needed balance and enough firepower at lower middle order to the side.  Mohammed Shami is in red hot form so he is expected to do the same what he has done for India in the last few months.

RCB is always a team to beat in IPL and their inconsistency is the major reason for their debacles in the past. Team management has done a sensible thing by making the lower middle order much stronger than before. So with the right mix of players, they can be a threat to any teams in this season of IPL.

Players To Watch Out For KXIP (Kings XI Punjab)

Mohammed Shami

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Mohammed Shami is a different bowler now he has contributed heavily for India in recent past. He will look to replicate the same form in order to gain more confidence while heading to the world cup.  He will look to horn his death over skills which is the only area he needs to improve before heading towards world cup.

KL Rahul

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Back to form in recently concluded T20 series against Australia KL Rahul’s form is crucial for Kings XI Punjab to earn the playoff berth. He was the leading run scorer for them in last season and he will look to do the same thing this year in order to seal the third opener slot in Indian world cup squad.

Players To Watch Out For RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Virat Kohli

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Virat Kohli needs no introduction and he will look to continue the rich vein of form in this IPL which will help his team to earn the playoff berth. He is the match winner and he needs to be in good touch to make India’s hopes alive in the upcoming world cup.

Yuzvendra Chahal

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Already a leading wicket-taker between these two sides Yuzvendra Chahal will look to continue the same record against KXIP in order to pull off a victory. His form is crucial for India as well as RCB and he is aware of this scenario.

Final words:

On paper, both teams are equally poised and it is all about execution and how you react in a particular situation. Hope we can expect a close battle between these two sides.

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